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Clemson Football: Staff changes have defined Clemson under Swinney

By Anthony Messenger

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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Under Dabo Swinney, the Clemson football program has dealt with staff changes remarkably well. 2017 provides yet another challenge, as the Tigers’ staff went under some reconstruction during the offseason.

A head coach is only as good as his staff and Dabo Swinney understands that to the fullest. When Swinney took over at Clemson during the 2008 season, many were confused because of his lack of experience. Not only had Swinney never been a head coach prior to that season, he never served as a coordinator either.

After an abysmal 2010 season that saw the Tigers’ limp to a 6-7 finish, Swinney took action by firing, then offensive coordinator, Billy Napier and hiring Chad Morris as his replacement. This move jump started the Clemson football program.

Morris not only turned the Tigers into an offensive juggernaut, but, he made the program relevant again. Luring top flight recruits such as Deshaun Watson and Artavis Scott to Death Valley was no longer as hard for Clemson.

Must Read: Predicting a spread for every 2017 Clemson game

While Clemson’s offense was potent at the time, their defense was lagging far behind. The tipping point for Swinney was the Tigers embarrassing 70-33 loss to West Virginia in the 2012 Orange Bowl. How did Swinney respond? By hiring none other than Brent Venables. Pairing Venables’ attacking defense with Morris’ high-flying offense propelled Clemson into the National spotlight.

After Morris left to take the head coaching position at SMU, Swinney showed his genius once again. Rather than making a knee-jerk reaction and scouring the country for a new offensive coordinator, Swinney hired internally, promoting Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott to co-offensive coordinators.

Related RTR Content: Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott’s coaching ability will be tested in 2017

After the Tigers’ National Championship victory over Alabama, the Clemson football program lost two pivotal coaches in Dan Brooks (defensive tackles) and Marion Hobby (defensive ends). Assuming both of their positions is 35 year old, Todd Bates, previously of Jacksonville State.

Swinney also promoted Mickey Conn from a defensive analyst position to an on the field position coaching the safeties. Former defensive backs coach, Mike Reed will not be focusing his efforts at corner back.

Judging from Swinney’s history with staff changes, the Tigers will only improve with these new additions. It seems that with every new hire, Clemson takes that next step as a program.

Next: Update: Ray-Ray McCloud could make the switch to defensive back

What’s the next step after winning a National Championship? By my estimation it has to be winning a second National Championship.

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